It’s that time of year again. It’s the time when the days start getting shorter, the weather gets colder, and everyone starts getting into the holiday spirit. For some, this is a time of excitement and anticipation. But for others, like Alex, it can be a time of painful reflection, feelings of loneliness as you miss your family, or remembering a traumatic event that took place during the holidays.
Alex was the type of person who loved Christmas. However, everything changed the day she lost both of her parents, the day before her birthday. This is also Christmas Day. From that year on, her Christmas consisted of keeping herself busy at work, sleeping early, and carrying on through the 25th of December as if it were any other regular day. She lost the meaning of Christmas and started having holiday blues.
Her friends and partner kept on reminding her that Christmas is about giving gifts, and appreciating the people in your life, but these meanings make no sense to Alex. None of these resonate with her.
At one point, she read something from a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. It’s about a person who does nothing during Christmas except cook, eat, and watch their favorite movie or TV show. That’s it.
During one Christmas, Alex tried this. During the 24th and 25th of December of that year, she asked for a day off from work (which surprised her boss) and cooked her favorite meal and ate it while watching her favorite movie in her favorite pajamas.
Guess what? It was the first time in how many years she had felt the Christmas spirit; having a sense of what Christmas is all about.
I know that you’re curious now. Don’t worry; I will tell you what she found out about the true essence of Christmas.
Ways to Beat Your Holiday Blues
Just like Alex, for those who suffer from holiday blues, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time. The loneliness as you miss your family, the financial stress of buying gifts, and the general hustle and bustle of the season can all be triggers for anxiety. And when you add in the fact that many people really do suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) due to the shorter days and lack of sunlight, it’s no wonder that so many people dread the holiday season.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of things you can do to beat your holiday blues and make the most of the holiday season. Here are a few tips:
1. Plan ahead.
If you know that certain situations are inclined to be particularly anxiety-inducing, plan ahead for them and write them down in this journal we made for someone like you. For example, if you’re going to be spending time with family members who you don’t get along with or who are particularly critical, try to come up with some strategies for dealing with them ahead of time. This might involve coming up with polite but firm responses to their comments. Or, it might involve planning to take a break from the conversation if it starts to get too heated.
2. Set realistic expectations.
One of the biggest sources of holiday anxiety is the pressure to have the “perfect” holiday. But the truth is, there is no such thing. Things will get wrong, people will get on each other’s nerves, and not everything will work according to plan. Accepting this ahead of time can help you manage your expectations and avoid becoming too stressed out.
3. Take care of yourself.
This is a busy time of year, and it’s easy to let your own needs fall by the wayside. But it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and getting some exercise. It also means taking some time for yourself to relax and de-stress. Whether it’s reading a book, having a bath, or going for a walk in nature, make sure you’re making time for things that make you feel good.
4. Seek professional help.
If your anxiety is really starting to interfere with your life, it’s important to seek professional help. Therapists, like us, can help you understand and manage your anxiety, and we can provide you with tools and strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
Anxiety and depression can make the holiday season difficult, but there are things you can do to manage these. By planning ahead, setting realistic expectations, taking care of yourself, and seeking professional help if necessary, you can make the most of the holiday season. This will enable you to enjoy this special time of year.
Christmas is a time of year that is full of joy, love, and happiness. It is a time when family and friends come together. Christmas is also a time when people reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. What is the true essence of Christmas?
It’s up to you. Yes. You read that right. The true essence of Christmas depends on us. Everyone celebrates Christmas differently. Christmas has no definite definition for everyone. The most important thing is that you know in your heart and mind what Christmas means to you. Just like with Alex, the true essence of Christmas for her is finding solitude in spite of all the struggles she faced; this is what she felt in her heart during that Christmas.
Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC, is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here. In case of emergency or thoughts of suicide, please click on this link.
